Pole-mounted air-break disconnect switch



June 2, 1970 J. G. PAHL. 3,515,823

2 Sheets-Sheet '1 INVENTOR. John G. Pahl MW Wm AT TO R N EYS June 2, 1970 J. G. PAHL I 3,515,323

POLE-MOUNTED AIR-BREAK DISCONNECT swmcn Filed April 1'7, 1969 2 Sheets---Sheet 2 United States Patent POLE-MOUNTED AIR-BREAK DISCONNECT SWITCH John G. Pahl, 1624 E. Alpine Ave., Stockton, Calif. 95205 Filed Apr. 17, 1969, Ser. No. 817,060

Int. Cl. H01h 31 /00 US. Cl. 200-48 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An air-break disconnect switch, adapted to be polernounted, comprising a supporting bar projecting generally radially from the pole, a longitudinal insulator coupled in axially rotatable relation to the supporting bar and extending from the outer end thereof to connection with the near portion of a lengthwise circuit cable, manually controlled mechanism associated with the supporting bar and longitudinal insulator operative to reversibly rotate the latter, an upstanding insulator fixed on the supporting bar, and switch parts mounted in connection with the insulators and arranged to make or break upon rotation of the longitudinal insulator in one direction or the other; the switch part corresponding to the longitudinal insulator being electrically connected to said lengthwise circuit cable and the switch part corresponding to the upstanding insulator being electrically connected to another circuit cable, and there being means (preferably including a turnbuckle assembly) mounting the supporting bar for up or down adjustment, about a transverse pivotal axis located adjacent the pole, whereby to axially aline the longitudinal insulator with said near portion of said lengthwise circuit cable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pole-mounted air-break disconnect switches include, in certain types thereof, a longitudinal insulator which must not only be set in substantially axially or end-to-end alignrnent with the near portion of a connected, lengthwise circuit cable having a certain amount of sag, but which insulator must also be rotatable about its axis to effect opening and closing of the switch. It is against this background that the present invention was made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides, as a major object, a pole-mounted air-break disconnect switch-of the type above described-embodying a novel mount (preferably including a turnbuckle assembly) for the longitudinal insulator, and which mount is adapted for adjustment of such insulator in a manner to attain the desired substantially axial or end-to-end alinement with the near portion of a connected, lengthwise circuit cable.

The present invention provides, as another object, a pole-mounted air-break disconnect switch, as in the preceding paragraph, wherein said mount is arranged to permit of rotation of said longitudinal insulator about its axis and for the purpose of opening and closing the switch; there being novel mechanism, included on the mount, operative by a manually controlled push-pull rod, to so rotate the longitudinal insulator in one direction or the other, selectively.

The present invention provides, as a further object, a pole-mounted air-break disconnect switch which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture, and con venience of installation and operation.

The present invention provides, as a stil further object, a practical, reliable, and durable pole-mounted air-break disconnect switch and one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DMWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the switch as secured to a pole; the switch being open.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, with the switch closed.

FIG. 3 is an outer end elevation, on reduced scale, with the switch open.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing the mounting of the longitudinal insulator for rotation, and a portion of the mechanism employed to rotate said insulator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the switch, of the present invention, comprises an elongated vertical bracket 1 fixed to one side of a pole 2 at a predetermined distance above ground.

A supporting bar 3-of rigid, unitary construction including laterally spaced angle members as shownis transversely pivoted, as at 4, at its rear end on the bracket 1 intermediate the ends of the latter, and thence projects outwardly generally radially of the pole 2. As so mounted, the supporting bar 3 is capable of up or down adjustment about an axis close to the pole 2; such supporting bar 3, however, normally being held in a selected position of adjustment by a pair of outwardly converging turnbuckles 5 disposed in the vertical plane of said bar.

The turnbuckles 5, one above and the other below the supporting bar 3, are each transversely pivoted at the inner end on bracket 1, as at 6, and at the outer end on said supporting bar, as at 7. By adjusting the turnbuckles 5, the position of the supporting bar 3 can be altered in the vertical plane thereof.

A longitudinal insulator 8 projects outwardly from the outer end of the supporting bar 3 in substantially endto-end alinement therewith; such longitudinal insulator including an axial shank 9 which extends back from its rear end. The shank 9, in its rearward projection, passes in turnable relation through an outer end plate 10, and another plate 11, secured face to face on the supporting bar 3 at its outer end.

Rearwardly of the plates 10 and 11 the shank 9 is formed with a slotted head 12, and a cross pin 13 extends through the slot from opposite sides of the supporting bar 3 and between which sides the head 12 is turnable to the extent permitted by the cross pin. An axial boss 14 projects forwardly from the head 12 at the rear end of the slot therein, into a seat in the cross pin 13, while another cross pin 15 spans between the sides of the supporting bar 3 adjacent the forward end of said slot. With the head 12 thus mounted in the supporting bar 3, the longitudinal insulator is capable of part-circle rotation but is held against any substantial axial displacement.

At its outer end, the longitudinal insulator 8 is connected by a coupling 16 in end-to-end relation with the near portion of a lengthwise circuit cable 17. A lead 18 from cable 17 extends to connection, as at 19, with a rigid switch arm 20 which extends from the outer end of the longitudinal insulator 8; there being a male switch blade 21 on the free end of arm 20.

In a certain rotative position of the longitudinal insulator 8, the male switch blade 21 closes-as shown in FIG. 2with a female switch member 22 on the free end of a substantially horizontal arm 23 fixed on and projecting forwardly from the upper end of an upstanding stationary insulator 24 secured to a base 25 on the supporting bar 3 intermediate its ends.

A bus cable 26 leads from the female switch member 22 to connection with another circuit cable associated with the switch, and here shownfor example--as a cable 27 running at a right angle to cable 17 and clamped atop upstanding insulator 24.

The longitudinal insulator 8 is turned in one direction or the other to close or open the switch (i.e. to make or break the switch parts 21 and 22) by means of the following manually controlled mechanism:

The pole 2 is provided, as usual, with a vertical pushpull rod 28 extending along one side of the pole; the rod 28 being pivotally connected, as at 29, to the outer end of an outwardly projecting radial arm 30 fixed on the inner end of a shaft 31 extending, exteriorly, along one side of the supporting bar 3. The shaft 31 is journaled in a rear ear 32 on the supporting bar 3, and a forward car 33 formed as an extension of plate 11.

At its forward end, the shaft is provided with a fixed radial arm 34, while at its rear end the longitudinal insulator is provided with a fixed radial arm 35 opposed to switch arm 20; the arms 34 and 35 projecting in generally the same direction and being connected at their outer ends by a pivotally attached tie link unit 36.

With the above arrangement, an upward thrust or a downward pull on rod 28 rotates shaft 31 in a direction to cause the described assembly of arms 34 and 35 and link 36 to close or open the switch, respectively.

The described mount for the longitudinal insulator 8- including the supporting bar 3 pivoted for up or down adjustment about the pivot 4 by means of the turnbuckles -permits such insulator 8 to be readily and desirably positioned in substantially axial or end-to-end alinement with the near portion of the lengthwise cable 17. As such lengthwise cable 17 does, when installed, have a certain sag, the portion near the insulator 8 will not be quite horizontal, and hence such insulator 8in good installation practice-must be axially alined with said out-0L horizontal cable portion.

Thus, the present invention provides a switch, of the type described, embodying a mount for insulator 8 which satisfactorily meets the adjustment requirements thereof, while also including an effective manually controlled mechanism for rotating said insulator 8 (in any position of adjustment thereof) to open or close the switch.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a pole-mounted airbreak disconnect switch as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

I claim:

1. A pole-mounted air-break disconnect switch comprising a bracket secured to the pole, a supporting bar projecting outwardly from the bracket generally radially of the pole, means transversely pivoting the supporting bar at its inner end on the bracket, a longitudinal insulator coupled in axially rotatable relation to the supporting bar and extending from the outer end thereof for connection with the near portion of a lengthwise circuit cable, manually controlled mechanism associated with the supporting 'bar and longitudinal insulator to reversibly rotate the latter, an upstanding insulator fixed on the supporting bar, switch parts mounted in connection with the insulators and arranged to make or break upon rotation of the longitudinal insulator in one direction or the other, the switch part corresponding to the longitudinal insulator being electrically connected to said lengthwise circuit cable and the switch part corresponding to the upstanding insulator being electrically connected to another circuit cable, and other means connected between the bracket and supporting bar adjustably positioning the latter to substantially axially aline the longitudinal insulator with said near portion of the lengthwise circuit cable.

2. A switch, as in claim 1, in which said other means comprises a turnbuckle assembly.

3. A switch, as in claim 1, in which said other means comprises turnbuckles pivoted on the bracket above and below the supporting bar; the turnbuckles extending outward in converging relation in the longitudinal vertical plane of, and to pivotal connection with, the supporting bar.

4. A switch, as in claim 1, in which said manually controlled mechanism comprises a shaft journaled on and extending along one side of the supporting bar exteriorly thereof, a radial arm fixed on the inner end of the shaft and projecting away from the supporting bar, said radial arm being adapted for connection to a vertical push-pull rod extending alongside the pole, another radial arm fixed on the outer end of the shaft adjacent the inner end of the longitudinal insulator, a third radial arm fixed on the inner end of the longitudinal insulator in substantially the plane of but spaced from said other radial arm, and a link pivotally connected between the outer ends of said other radial arm and said third radial arm.

5. A switch, as in claim 4, in which said other radial arm and said third radial arm project in generally the same direction from the shaft and longitudinal insulator, respectively.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,253,093 5/1966 Pahl zoo-4s ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner H. J. HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner 

